Barr: The best we've played in the competition

Billy thrilled by his side's confident display against Watford in the FA Youth Cup

18 January 2018

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Rovers Under-18s boss Bill Barr admitted his side's performance in the comfortable victory over Watford Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup was his team's best display in the competition.

A first half Callum Wright penalty was followed up by Dan Butterworth's timely strike on the stroke of half time as Rovers breezed through to round five of the competition, where they'll play Nottingham Forest at Ewood Park at a time TBC.

And Barr was chuffed with many aspects of his side's dominant performance, but insists his side can still strive for improvement.

“It’s pleasing we’re through, another victory, another clean sheet and we look forward to the next round," Barr said after the game.

“In the first half Dan [Butterworth] got through a few times and doesn’t pull his shot quick enough. The conditions meant we were hoping for shots, with a slippery surface, test the 'keeper.

“The one time we did that the keeper saves and Sam Barnes puts over the bar from a yard. Overall, we’re more than pleased, especially with the first half.

“Half-time probably came at a good time for them and a bad time for us."

Despite the positives, Billy's only niggle was a 'sloppy' second half display against a Hornets side who marginally improved.

“The second half I thought we were sloppy at times and probably couldn’t get our foot back on the gas, Watford came out better as well.

“Under-18s football, they forget things and the gameplan was to do exactly what we had done in the first half.

“It didn’t happen the way we would’ve liked but we got the clean sheet and the victory," the 48-year-old concluded.